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Raise a glass to winter at Sun Peaks fest

HARD to believe, but it's been 14 years since the folks behind the perennially successful Okanagan Wine Festival took a leap of faith to unveil B.C.'s inaugural Icewine Festival at then neophyte Sun Peaks, near Kamloops.

HARD to believe, but it's been 14 years since the folks behind the perennially successful Okanagan Wine Festival took a leap of faith to unveil B.C.'s inaugural Icewine Festival at then neophyte Sun Peaks, near Kamloops.

That was back in the days when people couldn't make enough icewine to keep the Japanese gift-buying tourists happy. (And also around the same time the Chinese figured out that making "certified" Canadian icewine was as simple as copying Mission Hill's font - and even easier than making "guaranteed" Rolexes.)

The fact that icewine's sheen has diminished somewhat (and erratic winter weather has made freezing dates less easy to predict) were all probably part of the move to solidly rebrand the event as the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival (this year Jan. 14-22), and encompassing table wines as well as icewine - not to mention vodka from Urban Distillers. Now that's a first!

However, even in those early days there were drops other than icewine to be had, poured by a handful of wineries that amounted to many of the region's pioneers, such as Gehringer brothers, whose Riesling was discovery for many. The current 2010 Riesling has a stylish new look, but the value-priced (BCLS $14.99) just off-dry wine still over delivers, with a vibrant burst of green apple and stonefruit, wrapped in clean, juicy acidity.

Along with a score of stalwarts there'll be plenty of relative newcomers at this year's festival, including the likes of Cassini Cellars, Painted Rock, Perseus, Sonoran Estate and Sperling Vineyards. Looking for a last minute "sip 'n ski" break? Check out some of the packages at thewinefestivals.com.

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The new year always brings a flood of worthwhile tastings, none more so than those offered by sommelier of the year and cool wine guru Kurtis Kolt at his East Van Wine Academy. Kolt says he's "totally stoked" about EVWA's spring series that includes an evening with James (Had a Glass) Nevison Feb. 7, and a chance to come up with your own B.C. blend, under the guidance of Tinhorn Creek winemaker Sandra Oldfield during "Blending Bootcamp," March 14.

Coming right up on Jan. 10 is "Around The World In 80 Minutes!", a fast, furious and fun trip through globe's major regions, grapes and wine styles' that Kolt promises will leave you "well-equipped to tackle store shelves and wine lists; and primed to find new favourites and moving well past Yellow Tail." All tastings are at 6: 30 p.m. at The Waldorf Hotel. Cost $40. Details: eastvanwineacademy.com

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Belly's Best

Cameron Hughes Lot 212 Carneros Chardonnay 2009. From one of the new world's most creative and successul "negoçiants" comes this very well balanced Chardonnay that adds up to truly excellent value for Carneros. Floral and stone fruit on top, followed by a balanced palate with appealingly restrained (especially for California) French oak and peachy notes with some decent backbone. CH says the addition of some 15 per cent of varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Riesling and a splash of Moscato helps its more Euro-, even Alsacien-inspired character. A slam dunk with lightly spiced Asian tastes such as tuna tatake, at Everything Wine $22.95.